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VW to Switch to Common-Rail Diesel Technology from PD-TDI

Is There a Future for Clean Burning Diesels in North America?

In North America, the three letters "TDI" signify diesel, along with massive savings on fuel and over 1,000 kilometers to the tank, if your middle name isnt "Lead-Foot". Diesel technology is inarguably one of Volkswagens strongest cards, particularly within the North American market where most automakers dont sell their oil burning products. Purveyor of the most vehicles powered by Rudolphs ingenious form of combustion, a large portion of VWs compact cars, such as the New Beetle, Jetta and Golf are delivered in TDI form, while the previous generation of Passat (still available in wagon trim) and last years Touareg luxury SUV also sporting diesel technology.

Aside from being
The acronym "TDI" signifies diesel to most North Americans, along with massive savings on fuel and over 1,000 kilometers to the tank. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)
driven towards diesel for the obvious fuel-saving incentives, diesel engines today have come a long way from those of just a decade ago. Diesel ownership no longer means coping with thick plumes of black soot, intrusive engine noise and noxious odors; most modern diesels are nearly as quiet as their gasoline counterparts, likewise for emissions. Performance has also improved, thanks to turbocharging and advanced gearboxes (stay
Diesel ownership no longer means coping with thick plumes of black soot, intrusive engine noise and noxious odors; most modern diesels, like the TDI fitted into the new Jetta, are nearly as clean and quiet as their gasoline counterparts. (Photo: Volkswagen of America)
tuned for a review of the 06 New Beetle TDI with a 100-hp four-cylinder featuring 177 lb-ft of torque paired to VWs new 6-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox).

In an effort to improve efficiency and emissions, Volkswagen Auto Group recently announced that it would be switching to common-rail turbo diesel technology, starting with a new wave of diesels beginning in 2007 - perfectly timed to meet new tougher North American emissions regulations that will also
Unit-injection was revolutionary at the time of its introduction and helped to bridge the gap between the noisy, dirty engines of the past and modern diesels of today. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)?
see cleaner diesel fuel introduced across the continent. Wait... Volkswagen, the industry leader in diesel sales, not on the forefront of diesel technology?
In 1998, VW introduced PD-TDI, or Pumpe-Düse, which is German for pump-nozzle injection. This sort of fuel management, known as unit-injection, was revolutionary at the time of its introduction and helped to bridge the gap between the noisy, dirty engines of the past and modern diesels of today. As a result an entire generation has been eased back into the idea of diesel-powered cars. PD-TDI is standard fare on all Volkswagen turbodiesels, including those
No diesel-powered vehicle currently on sale in North America can meet the 2007 standards. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)?
of the latest New Beetle and Jetta TDIs.

But for all of its landmarks and sales, VW will be moving away from its Pumpe-Düse engine technology which it established nearly eight years ago in order to meet increasing emissions standards from Europe, as well as within North America. If you havent already heard, the U.S. Governments Tier II Emissions regulations have had manufacturers scrambling to figure out a way to improve their diesel particulate ratings before the 2007 deadline. Currently, no diesel-powered vehicle currently on sale in North America can meet these standards. Given the fact that a good chunk of VWs sales are in the diesel market, its no wonder theyre switching.

Pumpe-Düse technology, developed in collaboration with Bosch-Siemens,
Common-rail technology is hardly a revolutionary concept, introduced to the Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Cummins pickup in model year 2003 and updated again for the 2004.5 model year. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler)
centers around direct injection technology (the DI in the TDI). With four individual fuel injectors and fuel pump units, one for each cylinder, small amounts of super-high pressurized fuel are misted directly into the combustion chamber. This principle is similar to that used on the FSI direct injection technology found on VWs new state-of-the-art 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and 3.6-liter VR6 engines, the former found in the new Jetta and Passat and latter only available in the larger sedan. VW also invested in super-quick heating glow plugs as part of its TDI package, delivering instantaneous startups, even on the most cold and frigid northern U.S. winters.
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